Device for the thermal treatment of yarns

Abstract

A device for the thermal treatment of yarns comprising at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for at least one transport means, which transports the yarn through the device, and comprising separating elements at the inlet opening and the outlet opening for thermal shielding, in order to minimise the exchange of media to the environment. The separating elements are configured to have a low bending rigidity and are arranged such that a surface load is applied onto the yarn lying on the transport means, for example a conveyor belt, which is not greater than 0.005 kg*cm −2 .

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Device ( 1 ) for the thermal treatment of yarns ( 3 ) comprising at least one inlet opening ( 4 ) and at least one outlet opening ( 5 ) for at least one transport means ( 2 ), which transports the yarn ( 3 ) through the device ( 1 ), and comprising separating elements at the inlet opening ( 4 ) and the outlet opening ( 5 ) for thermal shielding in order to minimise the exchange of media to the environment, in which the separating elements are arranged on the side of the transport means ( 2 ) covered with yarn ( 3 ),
 characterised in that 
 the separating elements are disposed only on the side of the transport means ( 2 ) covered by the yarn and out of contact with the transport means ( 2 ) to passively follow in contact with and yield to the yarns ( 3 ), 
 the separating elements comprise a flexible loop ( 7 ) wherein a loading element ( 8 ) is a weight arranged inside the flexible loop ( 7 ), and 
 said separating elements having a predetermined bending rigidity to apply a predetermined surface load onto the yarn ( 3 ) lying on the transport means ( 2 ) less than 0.005 kg*cm −2  selected to effectively maintain uniformity of thermal treatment of the yarn ( 3 ) within the device ( 1 ) without causing damage to the yarn ( 3 ). 
 
     
     
       2. Device ( 1 ) for the thermal treatment of yarns ( 3 ) comprising at least one inlet opening ( 4 ) and at least one outlet opening ( 5 ) for at least one transport means ( 2 ), which transports the yarn ( 3 ) through the device ( 1 ), and comprising separating elements at the inlet opening ( 4 ) and the outlet opening ( 5 ) for thermal shielding in order to minimise the exchange of media to the environment, in which the separating elements are arranged on the side of the transport means ( 2 ) covered with yarn ( 3 ),
 characterised in that 
 the separating elements are disposed only on the side of the transport means ( 2 ) covered by the yarn and out of contact with the transport means ( 2 ) to passively follow in contact with and yield to the yarns ( 3 ), 
 the separating elements comprise at least one of a flexible material ( 6 ), a flexible loop ( 7 ), a rotatable roller ( 10 ) having a surface made from a resiliently compressible material and an upper band ( 11 ) having a surface made from a resiliently compressible material, and wherein a curve is formed in the flexible material or the flexible material already has a curved form so that the separating element lies flat on a free end flat on the yarn and 
 said separating elements ( 6 ,  7 ,  10 ,  11 ) having a predetermined bending rigidity to apply a predetermined surface load onto the yarn ( 3 ) lying on the transport means ( 2 ) less than 0.005 kg*cm  −2  selected to effectively maintain uniformity of thermal treatment of the yarn ( 3 ) within the device ( 1 ) without causing damage to the yarn ( 3 ). 
 
     
     
       3. Device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that a loading element ( 8 ) is arranged inside the flexible loop ( 7 ). 
     
     
       4. Device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the yarn-contacting side of the flexible material ( 6 ) has low-friction properties. 
     
     
       5. Device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that at least two separating elements ( 6 ,  7 ,  10 ,  11 ) are provided respectively which are arranged behind one another. 
     
     
       6. Device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the separating elements can be used in a multipoint installation in particular for twisting and cabling machines.